Occupational Therapy Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Occupational Therapy

Copyright Statement

All rights reserved. This publication is intended for use solely by faculty, students, and staff of Nova Southeastern University. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, now known or later developed, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author or the publisher.

First Advisor

Mariana D'Amico

Date of original Performance / Presentation

January 2024

Publication Date / Copyright Date

1-1-2024

Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological dissertation study was to explore the lived experiences of occupational therapy graduate students around the cultural values, beliefs, and attitudes of an entry-level occupational therapy program. Eight informants participated in two semi-structured interviews at least 2 weeks apart while in their second year of the program. The interviews occurred following completion of their first year, but prior to engagement in Level II fieldwork to enrich data. Data included demographics, fieldnotes, audio and video recorded interviews, and the primary investigator’s reflexive journal entries. Phenomenological philosophy and methods, and the pan occupational paradigm shaped dissertation design and methods. Two phases of member checking occurred, and data analysis was completed manually using thematic coding and the hermeneutic circle. Analysis resulted in three main themes (a) culture of contradictions, (b) meaningful connections-disconnections, and (c) people as program culture.

Disciplines

Occupational Therapy

Keywords

culture; education; occupational therapy students; phenomenology; professional identity; professional socialization

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